For those who didn’t follow our adventures from the beginning, I’ll just sum it up.
About 18 months ago, we got the slightly crazy idea, to sell real things (and not the usual virtual goods) in a Virtual World. We have therefore launched a few experiments under the banner of “Shopping Attitude”, with the simple goal to learn and understand how this could be of interest. That was step 1.
Lessons were taken from these first experiences, and we decided to launch “for real” in a major
project, with a strong partner in order to test our ability to develop technology that is capable of
becoming a solution of 3D-trade and we called it RIL Shopping, RIL standing for Retail & Innovation Live. This was step 2.
Since January 2009, we have moved up a gear into Step 3. A new format has been implemented, including permanent, active sales, friendly hosts (no bot at all, only real and friendly humans!) to spend a considerable number of hours each day to receive and assist visitors, customers and also our retailers. And last but not least: our weekly, special events that give retailers and residents, from newbies to early adapters of Second Life, the opportunity to meet in a comfortable and entertaining atmosphere.
Our retailers, as they know their products well and can therefore assist the residents to the utmost, are given the best circumstances to meet both customers and, of course, Stonfield InWorld’s and Sofinco’s teams… This format seems to find its audience. We’ve had several cases in which the island became saturated and inaccessible. It is surprising and unlikely to show a slight early success with a technical problem but it was only little.
Meanwhile, our technology has been “refined” and we’re working hard on a V2. It integrates all of our knowledge of this moment, considering that we continue to learn step by step and that the solution we are heading for is one of making a stable and well established 2D/3D-Webshop, that keeps on being dynamic, while micro-sized improvements are made almost permanently. No question about it, that this is Step 4 … just before an even more exciting Step 5 (but it’s a little too early to talk about that now!).
I even dare to speak of an early and light wave of success because we have also some figures that are significant. We are close to 4,000 subscribers to RIL Shopping (and who have a Second Life account as well), approximately since the first opening evening in January. It is at the same time little and big, as everything depends on the faith in all: people and project.
Meanwhile, in our daily contacts with Second Life residents who visit us in the commercial area, we noticed a change in perception. Most of who are now taking part enlight my heart and share a lot, as it comes finally clear that our approach makes sense; it is not aggressive or disrespectful of the spirit that can prevail in Second Life. This understanding of our approach is without a doubt one of our greatest satisfactions.
We therefore come to a situation that is even more exciting: A technical solution which is almost acceptable in terms of technology, supported by a community of thousands of enthusiastic people who are open-minded in our approach.
This should quickly lead us to Step 4, which will be a kind of shared incorporation in the way to sell online in a social manner while being very different from what is common today and a micro-loan market being convincing, but very demanding both in the substance and form.
Our response will be: More than ever we are going to bring Human at the center of the device. The retailers are real retailers, advisers who are capable of listening and giving service. The “customers” are real people with special needs within the meaning of the term marketing, but also expectations, desires, emotions …
The traders that we will welcome, are more than ever aware of this comparison, and will of course do their job and preparations, but they will also offer special prices and exceptional service. This is the case since the beginning of this adventure and this will of course be continued. Beyond the offer, they must understand that the Social Shopping as we practice, is primarily based on human relationships, there is a potential sale or not. On this aspect also, the majority has played the game from the beginning, sometimes a little confusing, but never reluctant.
It is a form of mutual respect that is the key. I believe in this type of economic model.
Finally, in response to a discussion I had with a journalist (very nice indeed ), the solution as proposed by RIL Shopping is not to compare with the Web in 2D but rather with the trade of physical distribution.
If you are a distributor or manage a brand and you are proposing to locate a store in a small town of 4000 adults (and few dozen new residents who move in each day) that are close to you but you are simply asking to meet and agree to adjust your approach, you do not open a retail outlet (for a cost to be between 10 and 20 times lower than a physical store) ?
This sentence is long, but I think it is indicative of a major form of retailing tomorrow. The crisis that crosses the world today is clearly a sign that “nothing will ever be as before.” The concept of respect,
responsibility and exchange value will return to the place that it would never leave. On the basis of
this assumption that we are continuing our work and work hard to try to invent a new form of online
retailing …
Written by Pierre-Olivier Carles (9 February 2009)
As you may know, Virtual Worlds such as Second Life represent a huge opportunity to reduce Companies’ Carbon Footprint.
I was invited to talk about that at Cork, Ireland during the GreenIT Conference organized by IT@Cork in November 2008. I had great fun talking about what we are doing and how it helps to make our clients greener.
Thanks to my friend Tom Raftery from Redmonk, here’s the video of my presentation… Feel free to get in touch or get in the conversation
After some days of hard work on the new version of the RIL Store, RIL Shopping is back inworld, with an even more attractive menu for this first month! All that begins on Thursday 22nd January, with the official opening of sales. The program for this opening event, which starts at 20:00, will be in the presence of the retailers who already have experienced the earlier RIL Store.
Because it is a very special evening, you are also invited to the concert of the great Bobby Ritt (at 21.00) who will play his swinging tunes, and after this you can get your feet off the floor by dancing to techno-sounds by the “Dijette des Etoiles” Nephi Eerie (at 23.00).
We also would like to take this opportunity to present to you the four flagship-events of the month (which will be held on Thursday 29th January, Thursday 5th, 19th and 26th February), in direct connection with the products and brands of our retailers!
Great in SL, with Eyeshop!
The receptions begin on Thursday 29th January at 20.00 CET, with an evening of special sales by the Eyeshop, and of course with the presence and advice of the retailers! At 21.00 CET this will be followed up by the opening of the photo exhibition of celebrities with glasses, and the awards of the “ridiculous glasses” photo. At 22:30, we will have a sportive race of bikes in shapes of glasses! Note that in connection with this sales event, RIL Shopping will launch a major competition inworld, with real prizes to be won! To participate, you only need to send by e-mail (from Thursday) a photo of you (or your avatar) wearing the most original, funny or crazy glasses that you can find … These images will be exhibited inworld in a room of the RIL Store, and the best of them will be designed in real and for public!
Operation Valentine The second meeting is already scheduled for Thursday 5th February at 20.00 (just in time to help you to prepare for Valentine’s Day in RL), with gifts of chocolates and flowers by concept of D’lys. On the menu of this evening for lovers: at 21.00: speed dating in SL, followed at 22:30 by “Glam Slam freestyle “, where participants will improvise humorous quatrains (or very serious), and each will have to be directly related to Second Life and love!
“Indemodable”
Don’t think that February 12th will be a day of rest, although this day will not be dedicated to one of RIL Shopping sales, but we will use this moment to introduce to you the upcoming sales of the month ahead, and also for participation of retailers, who have been present at the RIL Store in Second Life. On Thursday 19th February at 20.00, there will be a follow up with the charming decor of Indémodable. The evening will also be placed under the sign of the game (with prizes, of course), including recognizing objects from distorted images, video and quizzes on the theme “culture of style.”
Molecular Cooking
Finally, after the successfull reviews on the live streaming video of last December, RIL Shopping and “J’aime Cuisiner” will offer another cooking workshop at 26th February, with a tasty menu, a light arrangement based on the “Molecular Cooking” !
As you can see, RIL Shopping starts again for you in fourfold, and will be full of surprises for you throughout the year!
On the threshold of a new year, it has always been a good tradition to look back to the time that has passed and how we have used it. The year 2008 has brought many new opportunities, ideas, and projects and we are amazed to see how much we have learned and what has been achieved.
At the same time, we look forward to the new year and set intentions and goals that we want to meet. And as always, we have many and all as exciting as the ones we had last year.
First of all we want to thank our clients to keep on working with us in 2009 on such strategic projects for their companies. We will continue in supporting them and bring them innovative projects concerning mainly e-commerce, e-learning and 3D Intranet.
We also want to help them to contribute to sustainability and to reduce their Carbon Footprint by helping them to use massively Internet and Virtual Worlds, and thus, by crushing their Business Trip Rate. Our input will be supportive, innovative and inspiring. Research is and will stay our core business to improve and stay ahead of developments, that we will then bring to them as soon as it will have a great value added for their business or organization.
Even more than before, we will explore the opportunities that virtual worlds - Second Life, Open Sim and new comers - can offer to face business challenges and use them in the best way we can to serve our clients.
Meanwhile, we want to share our energy, our inspiration, our ideas and achievements with our clients, friends, teams, relations and with you and transmit the love for the great chances to innovate that come on our way.
Leaves us to wish all of you a wonderful, prosperous, inspiring and healthy 2009!
Christmas and also New Year’s Eve are approaching. It is traditional to gather and share good times with family and friends, during the holiday season.
That is exactly what we will offer during an exclusive evening on Friday, 19th of December, starting at 17:00 CET. Indeed, RIL Shopping is going to organize a sales of kitchen utilities, in partnership with “J’aime Cuisiner” (I love cooking). But, more than that this sale will be our Christmas-party for you.
At this Christmas party that we want to offer, Damien, who is owner and initiator of “J’aime Cuisiner” will in fact perform a cooking course which will be broadcast on giant screens in Second Life, at RIL Shoppings’. Damien is going to teach us how to prepare three courses for a fantastic Christmas dinner, so that you have the ultimate chance to surprise all your family and friends. Of course, Damien will explain everything to help you to create these luxury dishes, but if something escapes you, you can ask all the questions that you want, as it goes without saying that lessons taken in Second Life are very interactive.
On the menu: Duo of “Foie Gras” and Mango, ravioli of lobster with “Coulis Mousseux” and, finally, a traditional Christmas pastry with white chocolate, coconut and tropical fruit.
After each course, Damien will join us with his avatar to present a selection of kitchen utilities that are sold in RIL Shopping against the famous low prices.
Indeed, this is more than a sale only, it is a big Christmas party on the theme of “Gastronomy” to which we would like to invite you and your friends too! Besides that, it is of course Christmas for all and hopefully, with a lot of friendly exchanges and sharing.
You can register for free on the website of RIL Shopping (in French only at this time, sorry !) in case you wish to buy the offered kitchen utilities. In any case: whether you want to (re)-discover Second Life or just want to spend a nice evening with us. Everyone is welcome!
The teams of Stonfield InWorld and RIL Shopping will of course be present, alongside those of Sofinco and J’Aime Cuisiner. We also know that many of our clients will be eager to come and we hope you will come too. After all, I wish for you to finish this year, 2008, with friends and in happiness.
In the first week of November this year, we launched, in partnership with Sofinco, a retail center called RIL Shopping. If you have visited these pages lately, you cannot have missed this information.
By performing a number of sales, in partnership with retailers who brought their warm enthusiasm along with their involvement, we have gained experience and knowledge that is truly unique because beyond our intuitions, our opinions or our beliefs, it is by trial and error that we have learned the most.
RIL Shopping, in its approach, keeps its promises. Retailers who participated are satisfied, nevertheless there are issues for improvement, of course, but they were aware of that in advance. And the results, especially for certain sales, are very considerable. A few thousand Euro were made, all sales included… which is very little in terms of e-Commerce, but still a great result in the given condition, that RIL Shopping is only opened for four hours in a day, while being within a reach of an audience that is way smaller than on the web.
Looking back at the first plan of this project, we had expected to have retail days until the 31st of December 2008, and that we would have obtained enough experience to take the next step. (Yes, of course there is a next step ) Now, by the encouragement of these remarkable results, we have decided to continue the exploitation of RIL Shopping in 2009, while we focus on various issues.
First of all, we will reduce the number of sales, based on a frequency of once per week. This decision is not linked to a lack of candidates, on the contrary: many shopkeepers are eager to give it a try, including participating in the costs of setting up systems inworld. The reason is that the hugh drive that we have adopted since the launch, does not leave us enough time between two sales, to produce as we would like. We have learned, and decided to implement improvements, for which we need the time between sales events.
In addition, we have decided to concentrate our efforts on two points.
The first issue of consideration, is to facilitate the user experience for all residents who come to purchase or to visit us. It is one of the permanent activities of any retailer -either online or physique- and we cannot escape from this basic rule. Some changes are already in place, such as the possibility of buying a product without the need of any HUD (Heads Up Device) or handling more complicated than a few clicks to validate details. It still needs improvement, but it is a great step forward and it brings a lot of convenience, even for a newcomer. A dozen others are subject to investigation or already taken in development, whether on the payment process, the presentation of products or the process of handling itself.
The second main subject to our attention is, to emphasize the impact of human presence in the device. The great strength of this marketing-model to sell a product in the virtual environment of Second Life, is to put the human being at the center of an easily accessible place inworld. Thus, the seller and the customer will be able to exchange freely on matters that affect them directly. Thus, among the good results we can state that the turnover is multiplied from 3 to 5 compared to competitive businesses and the turnover per customer has increased by 20 to 35%. The reception, the advice, the assistance with the purchase, but sometimes the retailers conviction because of her best understanding of the expectations of the potential customer; these are all part of the empowerment of the system. We will pay attention to this topic, and help human to take any possible place in RIL Shopping.
In spite of all, RIL Shopping is not a goal in itself! This is an important step, but just a stage in a larger process. We are prepared to host the first commercial, more sustainable settlements, such as to open stores in Second Life, where you can buy goods as you would do in a shop around the corner. Our technology is sufficiently mature and proven to consider Second Life as a territory in which you can add value, but also acquire what suits your needs. Of course, a brand or distributor must have the audacity, an open mind and he has to accept the challenge to launch a project like this… but it is as we innovate, we can all grow stronger and we will endure the current times of financial crisis.
We are talking about a very small place, populated by thousands of French and more than a million residents globally, both in Europe and the United States. The large majority of these residents are usually adults, have an income level that is slightly higher than the average household income for their country and have a strong involvement to what is happening in Second Life. This does not justify it, and I do not just for marketing purposes but for commercial purposes, to invest a few thousand euros in a digital store? If certain brands become established in small towns, they do so at a much higher cost and potential for a less important?
We observed with much attention the activities of the Boulanger team, when they created a store in Second Life. It was brave, positive and visionary and -most important-, by this it was also confirmed by others than us, that trade in the virtual universe has an incredible potential. Now we can go much further than that, and really open this new channel in relationship with the market, talking to customers and … TO SELL!
On personal note: David Castéra or I would be happy to share ideas and opinions with any retailer or manager of a product or brand who understands the possibilities, even if he has no particular project at hand. Over 50% of our time is devoted to conviction … and that is exciting!
Together with the great team of Sofinco, we are at Stonfield InWorld most passionate about RIL Shopping and its opportunities to become an exceptional channel for selling high quality goods against considerable discount. Even to just imagine the chances that this brand new sales-channel has, using the Virtual Universe of Second Life, gives us the shivers by excitement. This channel is marvelously well suited for sales of complex products but also for sales with a very specific emotional perception.
After some promising earlier sales, improving one after another, we decided that the process is ready for its next big step in the long course to go, as it is now already stable enough to move up a gear. For this reason we launched a major sponsorship, with a few key gifts that we hope to be attractive and “in spirit” of the service.
Now it is time to take a next step and face a larger challenge: we are going to sell cars!
Again, just like the sales that have passed until today, the sale at RIL shopping in Second Life is considered to be a sale online, but in contrast to ordinary webshops, it gives the seller and buyer the warm experience of the social aspects of shopping that was until now exclusively reservated for shops in physical life. A real person is there to advise you, guide you in your choices and accompany you throughout the process.
However, we are well aware that a car is probably one of the most improbable products that one could buy in a virtual world like Second Life. For this reason and with the complicity of Jean-Pierre Pla and the whole team of SAAB Signatures in Toulouse, we have decided to offer this high quality SAAB against a totally incredible price, with discounts on new or used cars, ranging from €1.300,- to €10.000,-! Yes, you read it well this is no typing error
Prices can be accessed at this sale and only on the RIL Shopping in Second Life and quantities are - of course - very limited, so it will not ongoing!
Needless to say that this sale will be carried out by SAAB Signatures, official representative of the brand in Toulouse. The payment will not be mandatory and online buyers have all the services and guarantees as a regular and usual rule in this type of purchase.
In these hard times on the economic front, we are very pleased to offer, in partnership with Sofinco and of course, SAAB Toulouse, such an exceptional opportunity as to achieve a special transaction, but also to write history by becoming the the first persons in the world to have bought and sold a real car in Second Life
Thank you very much to Jean-Pierre Pla and his team for having agreed to join and play the game with as much enthusiasm!
Again a new step has been taken into improvement of sustainability by use of virtual worlds.
Virtual Worlds, such as the well known 3D-web browser “Second Life”, are a powerful tool to change the way businesses and institutions are operating. And above this; Virtual Worlds can help companies, organizations and institutions to decrease their carbon footprint and to perform without taking too much advantage of natural resources. And, by doing this, contribute to a more sustainable way of life for everyone.
On initiative of Crédit Agricole and together with the team of Stonfield InWorld, a special Learning Management System has been developed to teach employees in the organization how to use Second Life. This week, a group of employees of Crédit Agricole PG, performing as beta-testers of the Learning Package, have started to receive on line lessons of the basics to use Second Life. Basics such as how to use the menu’s and user interface, how to move and fly with the avatar and how to modify the avatar to their own liking.
The great idea behind this project is, that if all employees in an organization understand how to use Second Life, they can organize their meetings and appointments in this Virtual World. The huge benefit for the organization is not only on saving on their traveling budget, but also the decrease of their carbon footprint by much less use of transport, which leads to less pollution of the environment.
Starting with these employees of Crédit Agricole now, the ambitious goal is to teach all 1800 employees of Crédit Agricole PG how to use Second Life before the end of 2009, and to organize the majority of their meetings in Second Life, in stead of having to make business trips and meet in physical life (’real’ life). After the employees have finished their courses, they will have to do a special developed test after which they will receive their personal Web Passport. In this way, the Metaverse will be integrated again and even more in daily, common life.
The team of Stonfield InWorld is continuously active and ambitious to start up and give performance to innovations that concern the use Virtual Worlds, or ‘Metaverse’ and that contribute to a higher level of efficiency for companies and organizations and at the same time help to reduce their carbon footprint and participate in a more sustainable economy and life.
Because of this passion for innovation, the expertise of the Stonfield InWorld team has a fast growing reputation, not only in France where the company is settled in three places: Oloron Sainte-Marie, Toulouse and Paris, but also abroad.
For this reason, co-founder of Stonfield InWorld - Pierre-Olivier Carles - has been invited to the Technology in Business Conference 08 by it@cork in Cork, Ireland on Wednesday 26 November 2008. In his speech, he will explain how Virtual Worlds can reduce companies’ carbon footprints and he will also present the business case for ‘Campus CA’, an e-Learning Solution in Virtual Worlds created for the Credit Agricole Bank.
Anyone who wishes to meet Pierre-Olivier Carles at this conference is hereby invited to get in touch.
Last Thursday, 6th November 2008 the long announced and long awaited opening of RIL Shopping in Second Life TM was a fact. This shop, at its first opening selling exclusive chocolate by D’lys Couleurs, is special compared to all other shops in Second Life, because real goods are sold in stead of just goods in pixels. The chocolate purchased at RIL Shopping will be delivered to the customers door within a few days. This very new step in e-commerce will be the first in a new way of shopping on distance.
Compared to all other webshops that have been known until now, RIL Shopping is the first to open its doors in the 3D web environment of Second Life ™, and where all goods can be seen in their real, 3D shape.
And while the customer is making his or her visit in the shop, a shop-assistant is always around to assist. These shop-assistants, who have been trained specially for RIL Shopping, can help each customer personally with his or her choice, but also guide in the registration, which must be done on the RIL Shopping website as well as at RIL Shopping in world.
This personal attention to every customer is one of the reasons why RIL Shopping is special.
Shopping on distance, both in the well known webshops as well as in the virtual environment of Second Life, has never taken the place of ‘real’ or better: physical shops and will never mean to take over either.
Shopping, as a social way for people of spending quality time, will never be replaced by shopping on the internet or even in Second Life. At the other hand, shopping on the internet has turned out to be a great improvement for people who are disabled and therefor not able to go out shopping if they need or want to. The same goes for people who live in rural places who have to travel a long distance to do their shoppings in ‘real’ or physical shops. The market that has been opened, also to these groups, is enormous and the only thing needed is a computer with internet connection.
Although the improvements are great, the one thing that is still missing in webshops, is the personal attention that gives the customer the social perception that changes shopping into spending quality-time.
And this high valued quality is another reason why RIL Shopping in Second Life is special. It adds quality-time to shopping on the internet.
To make RIL Shopping really work, and especially with high quality products against considerable discount, the main challenge now is to convince the residents of Second Life and explain to them that it is easy and efficient to shop at RIL Shopping and that they will really have a delivery after their purchase.
This is the challenge that the initiating teams of Stonfield Inworld and credit bank Sofinco are facing right now.
RIL Shopping, managed for Stonfield InWorld by Richard Malterre, is not opened 24/7 like other, common webshops. This makes it possible to provide personal attention and service to every customer. Opening hours will be announced in advance at RIL Shopping in Second Life, as well as on the website, www.ril-shopping.com together with the specialties that will be offered for sale.
The very next sales, only available for residents who live in France, Belgium or Luxembourg, of special and exclusive wines by Château Labastidié, will be on the 12th of November from 17.00 to 21.00 CET. On the third opening day, the 14th of November from 17.00 to 21.00 CET, exclusive and high-quality gifts provided by Bagatelles.fr will be offered for sale in RIL Shopping against considerable discount.
), the solution as proposed by RIL Shopping is not to compare with the Web in 2D but rather with the trade of physical distribution.
